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Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
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yolos
hammock gal
Dan in Ct
Kelejan
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countrynaturals
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Scorpio Rising
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18 posters
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Page 5 of 5 • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
bgardner wrote:Canning supplies and Mason jars will be next, once people start getting vegetables. In addition, some of the companies that make them have staff reductions and aren't producing as many jars as they did previously (e.g. Weck). Weck, Anchor Hocking, and others are out of stock on popular items, such as 32 oz. jars (especially wide mouth). If you want to can this year, buy what you need now. Since I'm dramatically increasing production in 2020 (retired in October, and have the time), I've been buying a box of Mason jars every time I see them in a store. In the US, Target and Michaels are a good source, but it will fall off soon.
I can't wait to put away marinara from my fresh San Marzanos for the fall/winter!
Brian
I was at Home Depot yesterday and noticed the seed shelves are fully stocked. This is the time to buy or order seeds, gardening supplies and food preservation supplies. As SFG gardeners, we don't use as many seeds as row gardeners, but some seeds are are only good for a couple years, while others can last for years with good storage. Here are 2 sites I have had good luck buying Ball lids and coarse vermiculite.
https://goodsstores.com/collections/canning-supplies-mixes?page=3
https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/ProductDisplay?mfPartNumber=115993
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
Was at the local Wally World yesterday, and they had the shelves fully stocked with Ball canning lids, bands with lids, and jars. Anyone planning doing canning this fall might want to check their local Wall-Mart to stock up with supplies. We have ours... 

"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
sanderson likes this post
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
same here!OhioGardener wrote:Was at the local Wally World yesterday, and they had the shelves fully stocked with Ball canning lids, bands with lids, and jars. Anyone planning doing canning this fall might want to check their local Wall-Mart to stock up with supplies. We have ours...
Scorpio Rising-
Posts : 8567
Join date : 2015-06-12
Age : 61
Location : Ada, Ohio
sanderson likes this post
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
My DIL bought me a life time supply at Walmart for Christmas.
Yes, buy summer supplies now. Seeds, canning supplies, trellis netting, E-Z Straw or bedding straw for mulch, irrigation materials, etc.
As has already been reported, coarse and extra coarse vermiculite for making Mel's Mix is in very short supply. One of our members, PVPInd gave us an update on the supplies in another thread. https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t22121p50-need-vermiculite
The SFG Foundation has issued the following temporary recommendation for those who simply cannot find coarse or extra coarse vermiculite.
TEMPORARY RECOMMENDATION FOR 2022 per 6" OF MEL'S MIX: If coarse or X-coarse Vermiculite cannot be found, make Mel's Mix of 1/3 fluffed peat moss and 2/3 blend composts. Next spring, when some of the compost has been "consumed" add only 2" of coarse or extra coarse vermiculite and mix well. There will still be enough compost left over for the second year of growing. For the 3rd spring, it's back to the usual instruction of adding only blended compost to bring the height back up to where it started.
Fine or medium vermiculite, usually sold in smaller 8 quart sized bags, can be used to make seedling MM for starting your seeds.

As has already been reported, coarse and extra coarse vermiculite for making Mel's Mix is in very short supply. One of our members, PVPInd gave us an update on the supplies in another thread. https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t22121p50-need-vermiculite
The SFG Foundation has issued the following temporary recommendation for those who simply cannot find coarse or extra coarse vermiculite.
TEMPORARY RECOMMENDATION FOR 2022 per 6" OF MEL'S MIX: If coarse or X-coarse Vermiculite cannot be found, make Mel's Mix of 1/3 fluffed peat moss and 2/3 blend composts. Next spring, when some of the compost has been "consumed" add only 2" of coarse or extra coarse vermiculite and mix well. There will still be enough compost left over for the second year of growing. For the 3rd spring, it's back to the usual instruction of adding only blended compost to bring the height back up to where it started.
Fine or medium vermiculite, usually sold in smaller 8 quart sized bags, can be used to make seedling MM for starting your seeds.
kygardener likes this post
Can you use medium vermiculite for Mel's Mix?
I need to fill several new raised beds and the only vermiculite I can find in bulk is medium. Is this too small to use in Mel's mix instead of the course?
SueV- Posts : 3
Join date : 2022-02-23
Location : iowa
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
SueV wrote:I need to fill several new raised beds and the only vermiculite I can find in bulk is medium. Is this too small to use in Mel's mix instead of the course?
Yes, medium Vermiculite is too fine and doesn't work as well. It gets too compacted so that it cannot retain the moisture or help loosen the soil.
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
No. Medium is too small. It's good for starting seeds, though. One small 8 quart bag of medium is all you would need for a seedling mix.
At this time, The SFG Foundation is recommending making an emergency Mel's Mix of 1/3 fluffed peat moss and 2/3 blended real composts. In the fall or spring, you will then add 2" of coarse or super coarse vermiculite and ZERO blended composts. (This is per 6" of Mel's Mix. There should be enough compost left until fall 2023/spring 2024. You will know when you have to add more blended real composts when the MM with the added vermiculite drops in height.)
I did a quick search. It looks like A M Leonard, Growers Supply, and another place won't have any to ship until April or so.
Call Uline tomorrow to see if they have Grade 4 in stock. What they call Grade 4 will work. You do have to buy a minimum of 2 bags of 4 cu. ft. but that will give you up to 48 sq ft of raised beds at 6" of MM. https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-3393/Vermiculite/Vermiculite-Grade-4-4-Cu-Ft-Bag
It looks like Farm Tek may have Super Coarse which will work. https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft_hydroponic_supplies-ft_hydroponic_growing_mediums;pgsrf35284.html
I found this on eBay. Do contact the vendor before ordering, though, especially regarding if it is in stock and how it will be packaged safely for shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/153924058149?epid=9031742028&hash=item23d696bc25:g:HKoAAOSwQOpetbWw
At this time, The SFG Foundation is recommending making an emergency Mel's Mix of 1/3 fluffed peat moss and 2/3 blended real composts. In the fall or spring, you will then add 2" of coarse or super coarse vermiculite and ZERO blended composts. (This is per 6" of Mel's Mix. There should be enough compost left until fall 2023/spring 2024. You will know when you have to add more blended real composts when the MM with the added vermiculite drops in height.)
I did a quick search. It looks like A M Leonard, Growers Supply, and another place won't have any to ship until April or so.
Call Uline tomorrow to see if they have Grade 4 in stock. What they call Grade 4 will work. You do have to buy a minimum of 2 bags of 4 cu. ft. but that will give you up to 48 sq ft of raised beds at 6" of MM. https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-3393/Vermiculite/Vermiculite-Grade-4-4-Cu-Ft-Bag
It looks like Farm Tek may have Super Coarse which will work. https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft_hydroponic_supplies-ft_hydroponic_growing_mediums;pgsrf35284.html
I found this on eBay. Do contact the vendor before ordering, though, especially regarding if it is in stock and how it will be packaged safely for shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/153924058149?epid=9031742028&hash=item23d696bc25:g:HKoAAOSwQOpetbWw
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
Thank you very much for all your help!
SueV- Posts : 3
Join date : 2022-02-23
Location : iowa
sanderson likes this post
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
I called Uline and they have the 4 cf bags of grade 4 vermiculite. They have a limit of 10 bags per customer. The cost is approx. $35/bag (for 5 or more bags) and the shipping will be about $9.50/bag for me. So, it's still cheaper than any of the other places I've seen online.
Thank you again for your help!
Thank you again for your help!
SueV- Posts : 3
Join date : 2022-02-23
Location : iowa
sanderson likes this post
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
Sue V, I'm so glad it worked out for you.
I will call Uline tomorrow and see how many 4 cu ft bags of Grade 4 they have.

I will call Uline tomorrow and see how many 4 cu ft bags of Grade 4 they have.
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
sanderson and Scorpio Rising like this post
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
That's a good price. About 2 weeks ago, I bought some half pints at Ace Hardware and they were $15-16 with tax. I'm still seeing a bit of seed shortage for some varieties, but there are still seeds in the stores.
Scorpio Rising likes this post
Re: Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic
I need some lids and tops, and smaller jars…I’m glad it’s easing up!
Scorpio Rising-
Posts : 8567
Join date : 2015-06-12
Age : 61
Location : Ada, Ohio
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» Seedling Panic!!
» I forgot sweet potato slips, panic
» Buying Mel's Mix
» Buying Local
» Buying seeds?
» I forgot sweet potato slips, panic
» Buying Mel's Mix
» Buying Local
» Buying seeds?
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